Dr Lana Leslie OAM is a proud Kamilaroi woman with family connections to Coonabarabran and Moree in north-west New South Wales. She is the daughter of the late Uncle Ray Leslie, a respected Kamilaroi Elder, and the late Loretta Leslie, a non-Aboriginal woman of Irish ancestry. She has lived on Dharug and Gundungurra Country in the Blue Mountains since 2015, where she is honoured to live, work, and contribute to the Aboriginal community.

For more than 40 years, Lana has worked alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through community development, education, leadership, research, mentoring, cultural education, and advocacy. Her work is grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing, with a commitment to strengthening communities, supporting wellbeing, advancing truth-telling, and fostering greater understanding of Aboriginal histories, perspectives, knowledge systems, and lived experiences.

With more than 20 years' experience in higher education, Lana has taught and mentored students, coordinated university degree programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and contributed to teaching, curriculum development, research, and student support across several Australian universities.

Lana is the Founder and Managing Director of Violet and Retta, a 100% Aboriginal-owned consultancy providing cultural education, strategic advice, cultural supervision, mentoring, and Aboriginal art commissions. Her work focuses on Indigenous leadership, governance, community development, and supporting organisations to build culturally safe practice.

She is Chair of Gii Gaba Aboriginal Corporation, established in 2026 to strengthen Aboriginal wellbeing in the Blue Mountains, and Chair of the Indigenous and First Peoples Member Community within the International Leadership Association. She is also a member of the Governance Circle for The Murama Healing Space and the Cultural Governance Circle at the Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney.

Her qualifications include a PhD in Human Geography (Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing), Master of Social Science, Bachelor of Social Science, Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion (Social and Emotional Wellbeing), Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Business Leadership (completed, to graduate in 2026), and MAICD. Lana is currently studying for a Master of Indigenous Business Leadership at the University of Melbourne.

In 2026, Lana was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to Indigenous communities.

Lana is a 2026 National NAIDOC Person of the Year Finalist.

Aunty Elly Chatfield is a proud Gamilaroi woman from North-West New South Wales, an artist, cultural educator, curator and researcher whose work is deeply grounded in Country, story and community.

Beginning her art practice in 1998 , Elly graduated with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts) from Deakin University in 2019 and is currently undertaking a PhD in Communications and Creative Arts at Deakin University. Her memoir research, Reigniting Spirit, explores the power of storytelling for survivors of the Stolen Generations.

Her creative career spans visual arts, film and community cultural leadership. She was co-lead actor, script collaborator and cultural advisor for Smoke Between Trees, launched at the Melbourne International Film Festival and nominated for a 2022 AACTA Award. Internationally, she contributed to the Indigenous Design Charter project in Greenland and continues as an Indigenous Ambassador for the Charter.

A respected cultural voice and speaker, Elly has worked extensively with schools, universities and community organisations.  

In recognition of her resilience and service, she received the Blue Mountains Woman of the Year Award in 2022 .

Through her art, research and storytelling, Elly honours connection to land, family and ancestors, sharing stories that speak to resilience, belonging and cultural strength.

Mandy Zaccazan is a proud Wiradjuri woman who has resided in the Blue Mountains for 29 years. With over 20 years of experience in the justice sector, Mandy is a passionate advocate for culture, leadership, and inclusion. Her tireless efforts were recognized in 2019 when she received the prestigious Australia Correctional Medal for her work in cultural advocacy.

In addition to the ACM, Mandy was honored as a winner of the NSW Government's "Making a Difference" Award, highlighting her profound impact on the lives of individuals within the justice system. Raised in Mt Druitt, she carries a strong, positive connection to her community, which has shaped her belief in seeing people not as problems, but as people to be meet.

As a dedicated mother and grandmother, Mandy is committed to fostering resilience and respect in future generations. Her advocacy is deeply intertwined with her identity, as she works to uplift her culture and amplify the voices of her people.

Mandy Zaccazan continues to inspire change and lead with compassion, remaining a vital pillar in her community and a champion for those navigating the complexities of the justice system.

A Wirangu and Kokatha woman born and raised off-country on Dharug lands. Wendy has a strong family and personal connection with the Blue Mountains, including having studied and worked in the region during late 1990’s and early 2000’s.

An experienced health and workforce leader, Wendy has built a career across NSW Health focused on strengthening Aboriginal workforce participation, cultural safety, policy development and health equity.

Currently Associate Director Aboriginal Workforce at the NSW Ministry of Health, she leads statewide policy and program initiatives that support Aboriginal workforce growth, improve recruitment pathways, and embed cultural capability across the health system. With extensive experience across local health districts, specialty health networks and the Ministry of Health, Wendy brings strong expertise in strategic workforce planning, stakeholder engagement, governance, data-informed reporting, training implementation and Aboriginal workforce leadership.

Debra is a PhD Candidate at Western Sydney University and Clinical Supervisor (Psychology) for Not-For-Profit mental health programs (Central West NSW).

She has an MSc in Educational Psychology (UK), M.Ed. (Singapore), PGCE, BSc (Hons) Psychology, 10 years teaching and 25 years clinical experience in the 0–25-year age specialising in supporting clients with Complex Trauma, Neurodiversity, and Learning Difficulties. Debra is Welsh and is living on Dharug and Gundungurra Country in the Blue Mountains.

Debra strives to be an active Ally for her Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander friends, colleagues, and clients. Debra has negotiated a licence to use an image of the Red Kangaroo on her website with the internationally renowned Wiradjuri Artist, Mirree, as it represents her aspirations for her clients, moving forward without inhibitions, with confidence and pride & not looking back.

Her educational and developmental psychology practice and university teaching that spans 40 years across three continents UK/Europe, S.E. Asia, and now Australia.